Shun Drug Abuse, Uphold Responsible Leadership, Values and Mentorship — CNG, Stakeholders Charge BSU Students

From Dooshima Terkura, Matured

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has urged students to cultivate responsible leadership, embrace positive values and seek mentorship as essential steps toward securing their future and that of Nigeria.

The group also cautioned youths, particularly students, against drug abuse, hate speech and campus disunity, describing the vices as grave threats to the nation’s progress and stability.
The admonition was delivered at a one-day public lecture organised by the Students’ Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG-SW), Benue State Chapter, held at the Faculty of Law Auditorium of Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOUAM).
With the theme, “Building Responsible Student Leadership: Combating Drug Abuse, Thuggery, Hate Speech and Campus Disunity Through Positive Values and Mentorship,” the lecture drew students, academics, traditional rulers and civic leaders from within and beyond the university community.
In his welcome address, the North Central Zonal Coordinator of CNG-SW, Comrade Yoosu Kenneth, said the event was aimed at reawakening students’ sense of responsibility, stressing that tertiary institutions remain vital breeding grounds for future leaders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Benjamin Ahule, explained that leadership on campus is defined more by influence and exemplary conduct than by positions or titles. He warned that hate speech erodes unity and endangers peaceful coexistence within academic environments.
“Student leadership is not merely about holding positions or wearing titles. It is about influence, example and responsibility. Our campuses are incubators of ideas, values and leadership. What we allow to thrive today will shape the society we inherit tomorrow,” he stated.
Prof. Ahule called on student leaders to institutionalise mentorship initiatives, encourage respectful dialogue and adopt non-violent methods in resolving campus disputes.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, described drug abuse as a moral, political and security challenge, noting that it contributes significantly to cultism, violence and insecurity.
“Drug abuse is not merely social misconduct; it is a political, moral and security crisis,” he said, warning against the use of substances such as tramadol, marijuana, cocaine, codeine and heroin, which he noted impair judgment, undermine academic performance and weaken leadership capacity.
Charanchi further advised students to reject hate speech and identity-based politics, encouraging them to foster dialogue, justice and unity across ethnic and religious divides. He assured that CNG would sustain its mentorship efforts, intensify anti-drug campaigns and partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), security agencies and faith-based organisations to safeguard students’ welfare.
In a presentation on substance abuse, a Senior Lecturer at the university, Dr. Steve Anyo, identified social media influence, experimentation, unemployment, poverty, peer pressure and declining family values as key factors driving drug abuse among youths. He emphasised that mentorship and value reorientation, rather than treatment alone, are critical to addressing the menace.
Speaking on hate speech and campus disunity, a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Dr. Tersoo Shaminja, warned that tolerating hate speech could produce graduates who are “intellectually trained but morally fragmented,” urging student leaders to promote inclusiveness and unity.
Representing the NDLEA, Idoko Juliana, a Chief Superintendent of Narcotics with the Benue State Command, called on parents and society to support collective discipline of youths to curb drug abuse, while also cautioning against excessive consumption of energy drinks.
In goodwill messages, the Ter Makurdi, HRH Vincent Aule, advised students to avoid social vices, while the Chairman of the Benue State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, urged them to remain focused on their academic pursuits.
The speakers unanimously appealed to students to apply the lessons learned to foster peace, unity and responsible leadership across campuses.